A Brief History of the saree blouse and Indian fashion before 1960 with an occasional excursion after. All images are credited but if they are here by accident please do let me know and I will take it down. All posts also on vintageindianclothing.tumblr.com

Category Archives: South India

The annual post on Christmas themed art from India. First up the Margam Kali from Kerala. The dance is not Christmas specific though many schools do seem to hold competitions including the dance around December. The costume is the traditional … Continue reading →

During this month the spirits of the ancestors descend on earth to be propitiated. It is the time to worship the nine Durgas for prosperity in this life and future salvation. The kings and their pandits set out to visit … Continue reading →

80s arthouse aesthetic in Bazaar (1982). The movie deals with the poorer Muslim communities of Hyderabad and the financial compulsions that lay behind many an unequal and unwanted marriage contract. Some parts of the costuming reflect the milieu. With Shabnam … Continue reading →

A look at a few contemporary period dramas in regional cinema, almost all are set in the 20th century. मी वेगळी आहे विन्या (I am different, Vinya). The staging of a play in Ravi Jadhav’s short, Mitraa, during which Sumitra realises … Continue reading →

From a series of posts I did the week of 13 July 2015-17 July 2015. Saraswati painted by Hishida Shunsō [X, X] Flute Player (1) and Esraj Player (2), Nandalal Bose. Both were painted in 1937 and were commissioned by … Continue reading →

When you think of Muslim influenced fashion in India you think of anarkalis, gauzy dupattas, tight churidars, a North Indian style that has a tremendous grip on the popular imagination not least because of Hindi movies. While the Mughals with … Continue reading →